News Business & Investment

Birmingham Airport Announces Electric Bus Contract

Published on Thursday, 14 March 2019

Birmingham
Airport has awarded Volvo Bus UK the contract to supply the airport with six
7900e single deck electric buses. Launching in November 2019, the ultra-low
emission buses will operate as the free passenger transport service via all
airport car park routes.

The decision
to introduce electric buses came as a result of a review undertaken by the
airport into its future vehicle provision. The Volvo 7900e will provide an 80%
lower energy consumption than an equivalent sized diesel bus.

Two high
level charging points will be installed outside of the terminal. Additional
plug-in charging points will be located in the coach park – and in the future,
these will be made available for other electric bus and or coach operators to
use.

Nick Barton,
CEO of Birmingham Airport said: “This partnership is a key milestone for us. We
are always investigating new and innovative ways to reduce our carbon emissions
and through the partnership with Volvo Bus UK, we will do just this.

“We have made
significant customer service improvements across the airport to increase
capacity and improve passenger experience, with the vision of positioning
Birmingham as one of Europe’s leading regional airports. The electric buses
form part of this vision, not to mention their sustainability benefits being
ultra-low emission.

“Since 2012
the Airport has reduced its CO2 per passenger by 20%. Implementing
the six electric buses will work towards lowering this even further which is
just fantastic.”

Nick Page,
Managing Director of Volvo Bus UK & Ireland, said: “It is very exciting
that the 7900e has been chosen for Birmingham Airport in support of its
ambition to provide the best possible environmentally friendly bus service for
airport customers and stakeholders alike.

“Over the
last 15 months the 7900e has undertaken a UK wide demonstration tour where it
has shown the contribution that can now be made to improving air quality in the
areas where it has been in service. We are confident the 7900e and
accompanying technologies will help Birmingham Airport to achieve its goals.”

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